Ooh, I honestly think you'd really enjoy this series. There are some interesting inspirations drawn from Tibetan Buddhism, and a lot of really great fantasy elements and character development. My only real complaint is that some of the characters seem to pick up techniques awfully fast.

One particular thing I like: the whole series takes the philosophy of martial arts as a defensive, deflective technique very seriously--the protagonists and their "side" focus not on utterly destroying their opponents (individual or nation), but on deflecting attacks and then making peace.

Also, there's Iroh the tea-loving firebreathing pai sho player. His lifestyle is the kind I want.